Vikings

Vikings, Greenway Agree To 5-Year Contract

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EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (WCCO/AP) — The Minnesota Vikings and LB Chad Greenway have agreed to a long-term contract extension that will keep the fan favorite in purple and gold for several years, according to the team.

The Vikings signed Greenway to a new five-year contract reportedly worth $41 million with $20 million guaranteed, according to Mike Max’s sources.

“Chad’s best football is ahead of him,” said Vikings owner, Zygi Wilf. “He has been a special person and player and is an example of the way we want to build the franchise. He has overcome adversity and continued to fight to be his best. Chad is a good role model for younger players and represents the Vikings with class. Getting this extension done is a great way to get the 2011 season underway.”

The native of South Dakota has led the Vikings in tackles each of the last three years. To keep Greenway from becoming an unrestricted free agent, the Vikings tagged him in February as their franchise player, essentially a one-year contract that would’ve paid him more than $10 million this season.

Greenway, 28, says he didn’t want to leave the team he joined in 2006 as a first-round draft pick out of Iowa.

In 2010, he was selected by his teammates as Defensive MVP.

The Vikings have also been talking about a contract extension with running back Adrian Peterson.